Clonmel is a medium-sized town in the south of the Republic of Ireland and the county seat of South Tipperary County Council. It lies in a valley, surrounded by mountains and hills. The Comeragh Mountains are to the south, while east of the town is Slievenamon. The River Suir flows through the town.
Clonmel was built up significantly in medieval times, and many remainders of this past can be found in the town itself. A small section of the town walls, which once encircled Clonmel, remains in place. One of the former entry points into the town is now the site of the 'West Gate', a 19th century reconstruction of an older structure (there were originally three gates in the walled town: North, East and West - with the South being protected by the Suir and the Comeragh mountains). This gate is, today, an open arched entrance onto O' Connell street, the main street of the town. Oliver Cromwell, who is infamous in Ireland but respected in Britain, laid siege to Clonmel in May 1650 during his campaign in Ireland. The walls were eventually breached, but Hugh Dubh O'Neill, the commander of the town's garrison, inflicted heavy losses on Cromwell's troops when they tried to storm the breach. However, the garrison in Clonmel surrendered the following day, as O'Neill's men were out of ammunition.
Old St Mary's church is one of the main architectural features of the town. Like many churches in Ireland, it was originally constructed many hundreds of years ago (possibly in the 13th century or earlier) but has been reconstructed or renovated on numerous occasions. The church was fortified early in its history, the town being strategically important for first the Earls of Ormonde, and later the Earl of Kildare. Some fortified parts of the church were destroyed or damaged during the Cromwellian occupation.
The author of 'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman', Laurence Sterne (1713-68) was born in the town, however his family returned to England soon after. Author Anthony Trollope also worked in the town for a period. The town has a strong musical tradition: one of Ireland's most famous tenors Frank Patterson was native to the town.
The South Tipperary Arts Centre is located in Nelson Street and features ongoing exhibitions and other events including the annual Impressions Literature Festival which commemorates Sterne.